Gearing up for summer

By Maha Kashani

Photo: Enjoy live entertainment at the Jewish Cultural Festival

After several months of patiently waiting, I am pleased to officially announce that summer is finally here!

In case you haven’t heard, summertime in Dayton is quite the treat. June is no exception. In addition to the legendary Dayton Air Show (weekend of the June 22, DaytonAirShow.com) and Cityfolk Music Festival closing out the month with Dayton’s extravagant Fireworks display (weekend of June 28, Cityfolk.org), I recommend checking out these special events.

Did you know?

Downtown is the place to live. Impressively touting the lowest vacancy numbers in the entire region, the Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP) estimates 98 percent occupancy of all apartment units and 97 percent occupancy of condo units in downtown. With numbers like that, it’s hard not to notice that demand for downtown housing far exceeds the current supply. Don’t miss the boat! With new developments popping up left and right, such as the exciting new Sixth Street Lofts in the Oregon District, now is a great time to consider downtown living. To learn more about the housing options available downtown, check out the DDP’s website at DowntownDayton.org and click on “Urban Living.”

Miss Maha’s “Best Bets” to

Experience Culture:

Although most popularly known as a religion, Judaism is truly a culture. Temple Israel, the oldest and largest Jewish congregation in the Miami Valley, invites our community to learn more about their rich culture during a special day of celebration and exploration. This year’s event will feature traditional Jewish foods, live entertainment, local art, ritual demonstrations, hands-on activities for children, educational programming and even an open-air market. Thousands are expected to join in for these family-friendly festivities. Tip – The craft brews are awesome. To learn more, visit TIDayton.orgCost: Free

Explore the City:

Who wants to participate in an Amazing Race-style scavenger hunt/road rally? This girl! I cannot begin to express how excited I am for the first-ever “Mystery Tour” road challenge presented by Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation. My best friend, Shanon, and I are ready to face off against other teams of two or more as we receive clues for special activities, puzzles and trivia questions leading us to explore the region. Points are awarded for accuracy and creativity with the highest-scoring team winning the race. There will also be prizes awarded for the best dressed team, best antique vehicle, best luxury vehicle and best classic car during the post-race cookout. Proceeds benefit cancer patients and programs. Seriously, does having fun get any better than this? Don’t delay – registration deadline is Friday, June 7. gr8nd8nmysterytour.comCost: $50/two-person team + $25 for each additional team member.

Stay Entertained:

MythBusters – Behind the Myths, Sunday June 23 at 3 and 7 p.m. at the Schuster Performing Arts Center, 2 W. Second St.

Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of the Discovery Channel’s wildly popular show “MythBusters,” are coming to Dayton. Over the past decade, TV audiences worldwide have enjoyed watching this special effects duo fearlessly test urban myths though extreme measures such as blowing up houses and cars. Now, they are bringing their antics on-stage. This all-new spontaneous and exciting live show mixes science with curiosity and plain old-fashioned ingenuity resulting in explosive experimentation – and the supporting or de-bunking of urban myths that we live with day to day. Jamie and Adam will rely heavily on audience participation, so make sure your seats are close to the stage on the Orchestra level if you want in on some action. VictoriaTheatre.comCost: Tickets starting at $36 (plus service fees, price subject to change)

Miss Maha’s “Can’t miss it” pick of the month

107.7 FM’s Pre-Summer Fest Party and First Friday Food Truck Rally

Dayton’s local food truck trend is shifting into overdrive. With over 20 trucks in business around the region, this “food truck revolution” is taking the city by storm. After the recent success of Dayton’s first Food Truck Rally, drawing thousands to Riverscape during a stormy Urban Nights, Synergy Incubators – a group of food service business incubators – has planned its second rally in conjunction with the annual 107.7 Pre-Summer Fest Party during First Friday. This event promises to be bigger and better than the first, inviting local foodies to gather for live music, delicious street food and exclusive opportunities to win Summer Fest tickets. With menu options ranging from gourmet hot dogs to BBQ to cupcakes, this rally promises to have something for everyone. To learn more, visit Facebook.com/DaytonFoodTrucks

Cost: Free

This is only a snapshot of this month’s entertainment options available around the city. If you want to learn more, please “like” me on Facebook: Facebook.com/MMATC and follow me on Twitter: @MissMaha. Remember, you only have one life to live … so get out there and live it up!